Listly by Joanna James
Coffee is a great source of antioxidants and the world's favourite pick-me-up! To get the most out of its amazing benefits it is best-drunk black without dairy, creme and flavourings added. Here are some tips to wean yourself off of dairy and get hooked onto the real thing to get the best out of your cup of coffee!
If you want to make black coffee a better experience, then you must start at the origin. There are over 100 species of Coffea plants in the world today, however, two have overtaken the bulk of the coffee market.
Arabica is the most prevalent variety of the coffee plant, cultivated by 75 to 80 per cent of the world's coffee plantations. Although it's very popular among growers, the Coffea Arabica plant happens to be one of the most delicate. It is very sensitive to transformations in the environment and disease. When brewed precisely, these beans deliver a robust flavour with balanced acidity. Taste the brew at the front of your palate to get a sense of the sweetness and saltiness of the brew.
The Robusta species is the second most popular. Unlike Coffea Arabica, which is cultivated in wet climates, Robusta flourishes in arid, dry climates. Robusta beans have more caffeine than Arabica beans. Coffee brewed with Robusta beans should have a mild acidity and smooth texture with a full-bodied flavour. It's the best tasted at the back of the palate, as it allows to bring out the bean's characterised bitterness.
A vital step in learning how to make tastier black coffee is to understand the grind sizes. The grind is a major factor in the bitterness and acerbity of the finished product:
A coarse grind is where you utilise a rougher grind, where the particles are large and loose. Which enables water to pass through it quickly. The narrow surface dimensions and short brewing time results in a limited extraction. It makes the coffee weaker and more delicate. A grind that's too rough can make the coffee sour.
In a finer grind, the particles are less and more tightly compressed. This makes the water flow gradually via the grounds, resulting in a more extended brewing time with an increased extraction time. However, a too finer grind will cause the coffee to become too bitter.
Roasting is another vital step in the coffee process. It transforms the beans from green, porous seeds into fragrant, brown coffee beans. Beans are toasted at extremely high temperatures to enhance the smells, tastes and oils.
If you want to know how to enjoy black coffee, consider the types of roasts. The roasting process drastically alters the taste, texture and fragrance of the final drink. If you dislike black coffee due to its bitter taste, use a delicate roast. If acidity is what keeps you away, use a darker roast. Keep testing different types and adjusting to pick the one best for you.
Drip is the most typical tool for preparing coffee. In this method in your coffee maker, you have to fill the reservoir with water, put a filter, add coffee grounds and push the "on" button. The coffee maker then boils the water and pushes it up a tube, slips it into the coffee grounds and pours the coffee into the cup.
Pour-over is very comparable to the drip technique. The only distinction is that the pour-over is done entirely by hand. The individual making the coffee has full control over the water temperature, pour rate, and brewing time. With this technique, one can make a single cup or several.
Espresso is made by finely crushing the coffee beans and filling them into a pressurized compartment. Hot water is then pushed through the grounds at high pressure, which results in a potent drink with a more viscous consistency than others.
French press is becoming a popular brewing process. The grounds and hot water are combined in the French press, which is made from heat-resistant glass or metal. The user presses the strainer down through the mixture, dividing the grounds from the coffee above.
For Cold-brew all you need is just cold water, coffee grounds, and a container. The coffee is mixed in cold water and left to brew in the fridge, for at least 24 hours. The water will pull the flavours and nutrients from the grounds to make a smooth flavourful brew which is highly concentrated. Every Café in Dubai will have these options even in a place like Nomad Day Bar.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.